9 Reasons for Corporate Communication Crises in the Future

As technology advances, the world ages, and people adapt to their surrounding, the causes of corporate communications crises will evolve and become much different than what they are now.

So what are the 9 new reasons for businesses to yell, "Mayday!"?

1. People are getting older: The world is aging; this is nothing new because it always been aging. However, it seems that it is aging much quicker now than it used to. A large percentage of the population of the world will be senior citizens in the next few decades. This means there will be some new problems, such as some countries not being able to keep some promises. For example, social security in the U.S. 
2. Depleted resources. There is an incredibly important resource to the modern, tech-infused world that many of us do not realize; the element is called tantalum. It is a core component of smartphones. This, and other resources, will be more scarce and this will cause some serious dangers. 
3. Consumers becoming independent. Consumers already sometimes make their own products but this will likely be a bigger issue in the future. And it will create some headaches for brands. 
4. The torrent model for more products. Pirating music is still a big venture for people. This will become more of an issue for other products as well. Remember Napster? It will be like Napster or other torrent sites but for products of all kinds. 
5. Things and processes becoming automatic. Almost 50 percent of workers in this country are already scared about being replaced by computers and machines. This will only increase as time goes on. Professions that include: journalists, production line employees, some culinary jobs, etc. 
6. Localization. Companies will want to reduce the distance between themselves and their suppliers, such as restaurants and their farms. 
7. Transparency: Many people, especially Millennials, are already very transparent about information that used to be very personal. Ratings and opinions of each other will become a regular thing to post on the internet, like GlassDoor but for fellow consumers. 
8. Big data. The concept of having the ability to hide and be forgotten is no longer a thing; nowadays, countries are struggling with the idea of how to use the data they get. Should companies go the way of individual privacy or more of a "hands off" approach model of governing corporations. 
9. Alternative models of economics. Yes, we have bitcoin but expect other models of currency and economics will come to fruition as well. 

As a crisis communications agency in Chicago, we can tell you how much companies struggle with causes of PR crises in 2014; as things progress, the causes will change and some will get more intense. Does your business have an issue or want to prepare for them? Then contact All Points PR, we are a Chicago PR agency with a full team dedicated to crisis communications. 

Shaking It Off and 3 other PR Lessons to Learn from Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift is constantly in the media, usually for good reasons. Within the last couple weeks, she has been all over magazines, talk shows, etc. discussing and promoting her latest album, 1989.

This past week, she faced off with popular music streaming site, Spotify. Spotify fired shots at T-Swift about taking her sweet time getting the new album on Spotify; in response to this jab, Taylor removed all of her music from the site.

Taylor certainly is not afraid to defend herself and be who she is. It is definitely admirable. Here are 3 things to learn from Taylor Swift that we can apply to franchise PR. 

Shake it off. The hit single from 1989 has taught us something special. You have to shake it off. You have to be you and do what you know is best for your company and your consumers. There will be those out there that disagree but the reality is that you can't and won't s
atisfy everyone. You also have to acknowledge what people are saying about your business so you can deal with it in the best way possible.

Know who your audience is. Taylor is known for her songs about heartbreak and you know what? They are always hits! Why? Because T-Swifts primary audience is between 13-26 and that is a prime age range for people to go through breakups & heartache. They can relate to her songs with words they could not come up with but Taylor did. Granted, not every person in her audience has had the fortune of dating a heartthrob celebrity but you take what you can.

Have a theme. With each album, Taylor has a theme that carries through each song, video, and image. With 1989, she has images look like Polaroids with handwritten messages. It gives a certain tweak to the messages that she sings about. When it comes to your business, have themes for franchise public relations campaigns, ad campaigns, social media, etc. Themes give a certain cohesiveness that is not achievable via random efforts.

Show your audience they are loved and appreciated. Taylor obviously cannot respond to each tweet and comment on Instagram but she does respond when she can. When Taylor is able to respond, you can see her responses are genuine and meant for that person, not like it is generated by some auto-responder. When it comes to your business, do things that show consumers that they are fully-known and fully-appreciated. It will definitely get you some PR results.

Whether you are a Taylor Swift fan or not, you can't deny her ability to be who she is and succeed at being an entertainer.

Does your business need promotional success like Taylor? Then chat with All Points PR and see how we can get you to be known!